ORLANDO, FL - It was back in November of 2022 when Wendy McManus, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Connect 2 Potential, first announced her Thriving Leaders Circle pilot, envisioning a training and coaching program to serve as a catalyst for creating confident, capable leaders. After a successful year-long pilot, she reaffirmed that the program not only works but has surpassed all expectations.

“I could teach the tips and tricks of leadership all day long, but if a person’s mindset is standing in the way of them adopting the new approach, the training will inevitably fail,” McManus said. “In Thriving Leaders Circle, we explore the underlying thoughts and shift the mindsets to support every new skill they learn.”

McManus identified a recurring challenge in the industry: talented individuals excelled in individual contributor roles but often struggled when promoted to a leadership position. This experience prompted the creation of the Thriving Leaders Circle, a press release stated.

The Thriving Leaders Circle brings together committed professionals in small groups, fostering a supportive environment for growing effective leadership skills and mindsets. The groups focus on a new topic each month, addressing the most common challenges newer leaders face. Participants engage in topics like delegation, feedback, healthy conflict, coaching skills, adapting to a variety of communication styles, and wielding influence.

Meanwhile, the group members identify their leadership values and purpose. They explore their inner dialogue and learn to manage the mindsets that are holding them back, enhancing their resilience under pressure. The program's unique pace allows for the absorption of the material each month, followed by several weeks of application in participants' roles before tackling the next topic.

“The coaching—by far—has been the most impactful for me,” said Brianna Shales, Marketing Director at Stemilt Growers and a pilot group alumna. “I’ve been able to take the lessons from coaching and apply them to real problems instantly to create great results.”

Members of the group grow together, shoring up leadership skills and confidence in a supportive community. Thriving Leaders Circle incorporates self-paced online training, twice-monthly live group calls, an online community, and more.

Now fully tested and vetted, Thriving Leaders Circle is currently accepting applications for the upcoming cohort, commencing in late February 2024. This opportunity is open for a limited time.

We look forward to seeing these leaders in action!